Knights beat Magpies comfortably in season opener.

The horror 2024 season has followed the Western Suburbs Magpies into their opening campaign of the new year in The Knock On Effect NSW Cup, with the Magpies going down 36-10 by the Newcastle Knights.

The Knights opened the scoring after just seven minutes when a deflected kick from Will Pryce on the last landed perfectly in the path of Connor Votano who crossed over beside the upright, with Pryce converting (6-0). 

However, poor discipline from the Knights saw them fail to complete three consecutive sets directly after points, which allowed the Magpies to pile on the pressure and gain significant field position before Solomone Saukuru found the corner (6-4). 

The Knights continued to stretch the Magpies either side but failed to capitalise on the first half, finishing a tight affair with both teams still in with a chance of taking two points.

But it fell apart for the Magpies just a minute into the second half, as the Knights came out the sheds hard and fast when Pryce broke the right edge of the defence to set up Ayden Hoad (12-4). 

From there the red and blue continued to pile on the pressure as a kick across field from Liam Sutton was dropped cold from Josh Feledy on the tryline, allowing Pryce to scoop up the scraps (18-4).

The now fatigued Magpies were back peddling as the Knights moved up 90m from the kick off with ease, with Thomas Cant getting in on the try scoring action with still more than 24 minutes to play (24-4).

An impressive solo effort from centre Riley Jones saw him weave through the left edge of the Magpies defence and go over untouched, before a smart play from Jacob Davis saw the Knights hooker burrow his way over next to the posts from dummy half to put the icing on the cake for the afternoon (36-4).

The Magpies barely made it out of their own half in the second 40, but a small consolation in the 73rd minute came in the form Max Liles with a deft grubber as the five-eighth collected his own kick and scored (36-10). 

Talking points

•  The Knights errors, particularly in the first half will need to be rectified if they’re to go far this season but have showed they have the attacking capability to move up the pitch fast.
• Will Pryce is the Knights’ main man and will look to orchestrate this side as the season goes on.
• Twin of NRL and Knights star Leo Thompson, Tyrone Thompson had a solid first hit out for his new side.

Key moment

Will Pryce was the star of the show. His early break at the start of the second half opened up the game for Newcastle and his control of the game gave them confidence moving up the field. He assisted two, scored one and completed 6/6 conversions.

What’s next?

The Magpies are set to face Parramatta next Sunday at Ringrose Park while the Knights go up against last year’s premiership winners, the Newtown Jets.